Get to Know a Grad – Abbie Sicilia

A member of the club for 11 years, Abbie Sicilia is headed off to Gonzaga for college soccer after many memorable seasons with Spokane Sounders. Here’s a look at Abbie’s time with the club.

Abbie is among the top talents graduating from the club this season with a myriad of accolades from playing over the years. She was called into several National and regional camps over the years and Northwest Division GA Talent ID Selection last season. In high school for West Valley she was All-GSL First Team all four years and would also garner First and Second Team All-State honors along with the GSL Defensive MVP honor.

Abbie says that an important learning moment for her came when then coach Simon Thompson took on their team and they focused on defense. One of the lessons he taught her was to “not fly by the attacker” while a later coach, Josh Patino, added a lesson in “waiting for the attacking player to make a mistake.”

Having learned a lot, what advice would Abbie give a U13+ player?

“What you put in is what you are going to get out. You can no longer coast and you need to show up.”

Show up she did. And the younger players in the club will get to see her continue to do so at Gonzaga, which she chose “because I will be close to home, have an amazing education and I get to play soccer with one of my favorite coaches, Lexi Brown [a former Spokane Sounders coach].

Moving on though means big changes. Among the things Abbie will miss are “my teammates and the routine of going to practice.” Another will be one of her other favorite soccer memories… “GA travel with my super mom manager.”

Among the players Abbie has played alongside for her lengthy time with the club is Tess Keyes, who she has been paired with for the past six years.

But as close as she may be to Tess or any other players, her biggest thanks went out to her mother and father.

“I would like to thank my mom for always being there for me and for pushing me when I didn’t want to work hard and for driving me everywhere and being the best momager ever! I want to thank my dad for doing fitness tests with me and for loving me for who I am.”

Quick Hits

Favorite soccer player(s)?

Naomi Girma (USWNT, San Diego Wave) because she is absolute savage and young and thriving in her position. I love her composure.

Favorite soccer team(s) to watch?

Chelsea, USA Womens National Team, Portland Thorns and Washington Spirit

Favorite road trip traditions?

Naming our cars and houses

Favorite road trip location / memory?

Road trip back from Northern CA in Salt and Peppa Vans

Parent POV – Megan Sicilia

“I love to watch Abbie play defense when she runs down a break away, stops them and turns around to attack on offense,” said her mother Megan, who has seen her daughter grow in “confidence in what she can do as well as her knowledge of the game” the last 11 years. She noted that Abbie “has matured and settled into who she is as a person.”

One of her favorite memories echoed Abbie’s, noting “Our road trip back from Northern California in the big 12-passenger vans that we named Salt and Peppa. It was so fun to listen to the girls cover every topic possible and all of their opinions.

Megan added “I appreciate all the coaches pushing Abbie to be better,” and that she “will miss our families and traveling with the girls as the manager.”

 

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